"Consistency was the area that the seventh grade team struggled with the most," said Cassville coach Treslyn Pollreisz. "Although we saw half of our season's matches result in a loss, the girls always worked hard to score."

The seventh grade Lady Wildcats started the volleyball season hosting the Seneca Indians. Cassville led the Indians 16-10 when Seneca made a run to take the lead. Lisa Lambel served well with four aces in the first set. In the second set, the Lady Wildcats struggled to get the ball in the air and fell 21-25, 12-35 to the Lady Indians.

East Newton visited the Lady Wildcats on Sept. 10. Cassville jumped out to an 11-6 lead in the first set and cruised to a 25-13 win. Ashlynn Howe dominated the second set by serving seven aces along with Kaylee Reibert who added an additional four aces to give the Lady Wildcats a 25-14 vicotry.

Cassville faced Wheaton on Sept. 11 and won their second match of the season. The first set saw Cassville fall behind 6-17 when Emma Coenon served eight straight points and Hannah Kelley added two kills to pull Cassville closer. Lambel added four more service points, and Audra Brooks served out the game to give the Lady Wildcats a 26-24 win.

The second set ended in a 25-16 victory for Cassville.

The Lady Wildcats then faced the Monett Lady Cubs and won in two sets.

Cassville played Wheaton again on Sept. 25 falling in three sets to the Lady Bulldogs.

In a rematch, the Lady Wildcats, with solid defense and serving, defeated Monett in three sets.

The Aurora Lady Houn' Dawgs were the next opponents for Cassville. The Lady Wildcats played tough but could not overcome the very solid Aurora team. Coenen and Abbi Atkinson had a great game in the back row for Cassville.

The seventh graders then took on Lamar, Mt. Vernon and Seneca in pool play of the Big 8 Tournament where the Lady Wildcats won three sets and lost three sets.

"We have lots of height in Madilynn Stokes, Hannah Kelley and Lisa Lambel as well as great athletes in our setters Ashlynn Howe and Jesse Edie," said Pollreisz. "Defensively, the back row of Hailey Matthew, Andie Roper, Sky Dill and libero Abbi Atkinson showed great improvement over the eight week season."

Pollreisz also stated that she was excited at the net play and attack game from Kaylee Reibert, Jacque Holz and Coenen.

"We are very proud of this group," said Pollreisz. "Several of the girls had never really participated in an organized sport before, let alone one as complex as volleyball. I feel like they will only improve their skills and talents."

Eighth grade

"Overall, I felt like the team improved as the season progressed," said Pollreisz. "As a team, I gave them the task of running a six-two offense as well as mixing up the hitters' positions on front row. They handled and developed into, I felt, one of the more advanced offensive teams in the Big 8."

The Lady Wildcats volleyball team started the season very sluggishly falling, 25-23, 25-15 to Seneca in their home opener. Ray had five aces for the Lady Wildcats against Seneca.

The Lady Wildcats downed East Newton 25-14, 25-19 in the second game of the year.

In the third game of the season, Cassville defeated Wheaton 25-17, 25-20. Ashley Ray and Macey Parsons had a huge night for the Lady Wildcats. Ray scored 10 service points, and Parsons collected two kills, one block and four digs during the victory. Kynsey Branham and Bailey Hendrix also contributed with two digs.

Monett was next on the Lady Wildcats' schedule. Cassville defeated the Lady Cubs in straight sets 25-20, 25-19.

Cassville played East Newton for a second time on Sept. 18, coming home with a hard fought 25-20, 21-25, 25-20 victory.

The Lady Wildcats then entered play in the McDonald County Tournament. Cassville faced East Newton, Wheaton, McDonald County and College Heights.

Nikki Christy had a great tournament for Cassville with three kills and two blocks. The Lady Wildcats won five out of the eight sets in pool play.

Regular season play continued with Cassville splitting matches with Wheaton, Mt. Vernon and Monett.

"Kassie Graves stepped into the lead setter's role and did a great job distributing the ball," said Pollreisz. "Camille Holman and Brenna Pendergraft also assisted on the right side.

"Libero Lexie Wilson gave me all she had this season and then some. She really grew as a back row defender this year." said Pollreisz. "Molly Durosette and Alani Lantz also showed great improvement throughout the season.

"The girls had some really close games this year that would have put them beyond the .500 winning mark," explained Pollreisz. "The overall record is very deceiving with regard to their overall effort and play."